The most common injuries in workers’ compensation claims

Perhaps you work in an office here in Anchorage and sprained your ankle moving supplies. Are you eligible for workers’ compensation? What if you are a painter, fell from scaffolding and broke your arm?

Here are the most common injuries that appear on workers’ compensation claims along with their causes.

Results of a study

The Travelers Companies studied more than 1.5 million workers’ compensation claims to find out what kind of injuries were most often reported. Their review spanned the years between 2010 and 2014 and included employee claims from businesses in various industries. A list of the five most common injuries included strains and sprains at the top, followed by cuts or punctures. Contusions held third place followed by inflammation and, finally, fractures.

Frequent causes

The study found that the most frequent cause of injury was material handling, which was common for workers in manufacturing or retail. Next was slips, trips and falls. Objects striking workers came in third followed by accidents involving tools. The fifth most frequent cause was injuries that develop over time. An example of this would be carpal tunnel syndrome, which refers to repetitive motion-induced wrist pain.

Issues with outdoor work

Many people in Alaska work outdoors. You might be a carpenter, roofer or painter. In addition to falls, the Travelers survey found that eye injuries are common, both in construction work and in manufacturing. If you work in the oil and gas industry, you should be cautious around vehicles. This was the only industry that listed a motor vehicle accident as the most common cause of injury.

Filing a claim

Employers must carry workers’ compensation insurance, and if you sustain a workplace injury, you can file a claim to cover your medical expenses, lost wages and more. Perhaps the reason you have for filing is more complex than most. If your injury is not among those that insurance companies routinely consider, do not let a denial discourage you. Explore your legal options; you have a right to appeal such a decision.